Virgin extends codeshare to help rugby fans

Virgin Atlantic has extended its codeshare agreement with Air New Zealand to include flights via Shanghai to Auckland.

The airline said this will give rugby fans more options on flights to New Zealand ahead of September's world cup.

The move, which comes into force today, is an extension of a codeshare launched earlier this year between the two airlines.

Edmond Rose, director of commercial and revenue planning for Virgin Atlantic, said: "With great matches such as England against Scotland taking place in Auckland, we expect to see huge demand on this route over the next few months."

It will be possible to connect three times a week using Virgin's flight code from London Heathrow through to Auckland, where both the opening match and world cup final will be hosted at the Eden Park stadium.